Travelling from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Washington DC: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC and you'll be in the air for around 1 hour 20 minutes.
Washington DC and Durham (where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located) share the UTC-4 timezone. That means there's no time difference to adjust for.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the most traveled route, with 58 weekly flights to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from RDU to DCA is with American Airlines at 20:46. Go for the first departure operated by American Airlines at 05:30 if you want to fly out earlier.
For a relaxed start to your RDU to Washington DC flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so give yourself a bit more breathing room. A good general rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
You can fly nonstop from RDU to Washington DC. Choose from these arrival points when searching for a Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC ticket:
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC are operated by a variety of airlines. Book your journey with one of these:
Travelling from central Durham to RDU takes about 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 16 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want an easy start to your journey? Stay near RDU. Whether you're taking an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are a convenient choice:
80.09% of flights departing from Raleigh-Durham International Airport touch down at their destination according to schedule. Given its reliable on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when taking off from RDU.
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Washington DC
The best price we've found for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC flight is 39 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 78 €. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book three months before flying. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from RDU to Washington DC.
July is the best month for scoring a fantastic deal on Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC tickets. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Picking up a cheap flight from RDU to Washington DC is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when a deal gets even better.
Find an affordable flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to the centre of Washington DC takes about 15 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 8 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC. Book one of these accommodation options near DCA instead:
Grab a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car and explore Washington DC and beyond with your own set of wheels. Thrifty, Sixt and Dollar are well-known companies you can book with here.
For the lowest price, reserve your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from RDU to Washington DC.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is roughly 56 kilometres from central Washington DC. Following your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC, it'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to IAD. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your RDU to Washington DC flight:
Dollar, Thrifty and Sixt make collecting a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car easy and quick. These trusted providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Call dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from IAD one week in advance often means better deals and a wider choice of vehicles.
The address for Washington Dulles International Airport is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Set your sights on the city centre after your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC has touched down. Central Washington DC is about 48 kilometres from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and takes roughly 50 minutes to reach by cab or ride-share.
If you go by public transport, the journey will take you around 1 hour 30 minutes.
If you don't want to make your way to the centre, find a hotel near BWI. Get comfortable at one of these options after your RDU to Washington DC flight:
Be in control of the next leg of your journey by picking up a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget are reliable rental providers.
About two weeks before your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC is a good time to secure your ride from BWI. You're more likely to lock in a better rate or pick up some early bird promotions.
Best time to go to Washington DC
Carefully consider your dates before booking your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC. The city comes alive during high season, but hotel rates are generally higher and attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Washington DC in low season if you like a quieter vibe.
The warmest month in Washington DC is July, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC (66ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC plane ticket then if that's the weather you find most pleasant.
January has average temperatures of between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from RDU to Washington DC around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Washington DC
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Washington DC right here. Check out these hotels after locking in your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Washington DC:
The White House and White House Historical Association are a couple of big attractions to put on your Washington DC itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at National Mall.
Explore more of United States
You've visited Washington DC, now it's time to explore more of United States. Travel around 322 kilometres north-east to New York to check off its must-visit sights. From Statue of Liberty to Central Park and Empire State Building, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Philadelphia is another standout destination in United States and is around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC. No trip is complete without seeing Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.